As a US citizen, I (and you, if you are from the US) have certain rights about taxes while you work in Japan. I have zero interest in detailing that info other than you won't be paying taxes to both countries. What I do want to talk about is the actual form. When you are informed that you are a shortlist or alternate candidate, I suggest preparing this form as soon as you have the chance. It isn't particularly difficult, but if you are traveling (as I was), it is really inconvenient.
Fill the form out in the PDF and save the file. Print a copy and just stick it in an envelope for sake of ease. If you decide to drive 16 hours from home, just take a copy with you (seriously, this seems stupid, but I was doing medieval camping and this was a problem for me especially). Don't be daft, your tax ID number is your SSN if you have one (I admit, I don't do the taxes, so I didn't realize this). If you filed jointly, you need to submit with the joint applicant, so I had to have my husband's signature on the document as well as some of his tax information.
Most of it is very logical and the IRS instruction PDF is plenty helpful. I recommend doing the payment online and faxing the form because it's easy, but you certainly can mail it.
Showing posts with label Paperwork. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paperwork. Show all posts
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Certificate of Health
When you get shortlisted, you need to submit a Certificate of Health, as an alternate I wasn't required to do this earlier on. I recommend checking your information ahead of time. Take a look at the form, make sure you know that you can get all the answers. You will be required to get tested for tuberculosis, so make sure you schedule that as soon as you know you have been shortlisted or upgraded.
Now, most important of all, because all that first paragraph is pretty obvious, is getting a DOCTOR to sign it. You need an MD. It doesn't mean your "doctor," since that connotation basically means primary care physician to most of us. My "doctor" is a family nurse practitioner. I have not seen a proper MD in years. My FNP prescribes my medications and does my appointments and everything else. So, when I dropped off my paperwork, I needed to state that I needed an MD to sign the form, rather than my doctor.
Now, most important of all, because all that first paragraph is pretty obvious, is getting a DOCTOR to sign it. You need an MD. It doesn't mean your "doctor," since that connotation basically means primary care physician to most of us. My "doctor" is a family nurse practitioner. I have not seen a proper MD in years. My FNP prescribes my medications and does my appointments and everything else. So, when I dropped off my paperwork, I needed to state that I needed an MD to sign the form, rather than my doctor.
Friday, August 9, 2013
Physician's Form Take 2
Okay, so I am going to write a bunch of updates tonight and they'll show up each day for a couple days. Hopefully, I won't miss anything.
This first topic is the Physician's Form. So, this is a part of the original application process if you have certain situations, like medications or medical conditions or a couple other things. I filled this out because I have severe food allergies (I have the form posted somewhere earlier in my blog I believe), but I didn't realize that I should submit a new one when my medications changed. I have struggled with anxiety and depression for a long time and have decided to finally speak up about it. I don't want to go in depth about it, however, I want people to know that updating this information with your coordinator as soon as you can is a good choice.
I didn't think of sending a new form when my medications changed, so I had to do it when I got upgraded. Changes in your physician's form could cause disqualification, so you don't want to put it off. I've been informed that I am probably fine as the prescriptions are new (only three months old), but I (and you) shouldn't put it off, just in case.
Basically, I have posted a ton of words for one very simple point. If you have any change in medications after your application is submitted, you want to contact your coordinator and check if you should submit a new Physician's Form ASAP.
This first topic is the Physician's Form. So, this is a part of the original application process if you have certain situations, like medications or medical conditions or a couple other things. I filled this out because I have severe food allergies (I have the form posted somewhere earlier in my blog I believe), but I didn't realize that I should submit a new one when my medications changed. I have struggled with anxiety and depression for a long time and have decided to finally speak up about it. I don't want to go in depth about it, however, I want people to know that updating this information with your coordinator as soon as you can is a good choice.
I didn't think of sending a new form when my medications changed, so I had to do it when I got upgraded. Changes in your physician's form could cause disqualification, so you don't want to put it off. I've been informed that I am probably fine as the prescriptions are new (only three months old), but I (and you) shouldn't put it off, just in case.
Basically, I have posted a ton of words for one very simple point. If you have any change in medications after your application is submitted, you want to contact your coordinator and check if you should submit a new Physician's Form ASAP.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Fingerprinting and FBI Background Check
So, progress has been made. Yesterday, I sent out my passport name change paperwork, expedited, which means that today is fingerprint day.
Fingerprinting, for the FBI background check, is really important. I am choosing to get it done at the local police station because I am hoping that having it done by a someone who takes prints as a government employee means that other government employees will accept them. Make sure the prints are clear and to the required standard because the FBI can reject your prints and JET will probably reject you because it won't be in a timely fashion. So, there are a couple things with this.
1) Print all the forms you need. Applicant form and print card, if needed.
2) Police stations will require you to bring your own print card. I don't know about private places.
3) Bring multiple cards, spend the extra money if needed, to make sure you have clear prints. You don't want a smeared print.
4) Bring money for print collection. My station charges $5.
5) FBI Check costs $18, I believe JET says somewhere to not use a service, so I am just sending mine directly.
6) Make sure you make a copy of your applicant form for your reply form.
It seems that some police stations have specific times or require appointments, mine just requires an officer to be in the station. So, make sure you know and allot your time appropriately.
When you mail your prints, make sure to specify not to bend the envelope during transit because damaged prints won't work right and will be rejected. I think that's everything... I hope that helps. Good luck everyone!
Fingerprinting, for the FBI background check, is really important. I am choosing to get it done at the local police station because I am hoping that having it done by a someone who takes prints as a government employee means that other government employees will accept them. Make sure the prints are clear and to the required standard because the FBI can reject your prints and JET will probably reject you because it won't be in a timely fashion. So, there are a couple things with this.
1) Print all the forms you need. Applicant form and print card, if needed.
2) Police stations will require you to bring your own print card. I don't know about private places.
3) Bring multiple cards, spend the extra money if needed, to make sure you have clear prints. You don't want a smeared print.
4) Bring money for print collection. My station charges $5.
5) FBI Check costs $18, I believe JET says somewhere to not use a service, so I am just sending mine directly.
6) Make sure you make a copy of your applicant form for your reply form.
It seems that some police stations have specific times or require appointments, mine just requires an officer to be in the station. So, make sure you know and allot your time appropriately.
When you mail your prints, make sure to specify not to bend the envelope during transit because damaged prints won't work right and will be rejected. I think that's everything... I hope that helps. Good luck everyone!
Friday, April 5, 2013
Alternate Paperwork
I have now received the list of things needed for paperwork as an alternate.
1) Reply form
2) Copy of FBI Background Check application
3) Photocopy of VALID passport
4) Proof of Graduation (if not already submitted with JET application)
5) FBI Identification Record sent directly to JET (to your consulate)
These are all fairly straightforward and easy. I am making a separate post related to the fingerprinting and background check, so that leaves only one concern. Do NOT be me. So, I didn't have the money to fix my passport if I didn't have to, which means my old passport is technically not "valid" because it has my maiden name. At this point, I sent it out (once I knew I was an alternate and might need it) to get the name changed and I sent it expedited, so hopefully I get it in time. However, I am really concerned that my passport won't be back in time. It does note that, if your passport was included in your application, then you don't need to send another copy, but I am not 100% sure that I did. I believe I sent a copy of my passport and a copy of my marriage license to show my name and legal-ness... So, yeah, now I'm freaking out about it...
Anyway, there is more stuff if I/you/anyone gets upgraded. Once upgraded you will need these.
1) Certificate of Health (I think this includes a TB test)
2) Copy of IRS Residency Certification (Form 8802)
3) Passport
4) Visa application
5) Passport picture
6) Everything you already needed as an alternate
I hope this is helpful and I hope I get my stuff all straightened out ><
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